Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim, NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,245,377 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports, when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report, that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints, specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened, feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 42,929 complaints - component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2016) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Oct 30, 2023
Incident date: Dec 28, 2018
After inserting key - there is no response. Tried several times. FOB locks and unlocks the doors. After a couple of days - it started with no problem. A week later, we are having the same problem with no response after inserting the key in ignition switch. This troublesome to know that I cannot rely on the ignition switch working all the time.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2022
HID headlights only work intermittently. no headlights randomly while driving is extremely dangerous. two dealers have reviewed vehicle and have no fix. issue is constant and one light is off 95% of the time, sometimes driver side, sometimes passenger side, sometimes no lights at all. no warning lamps in the dash, vehicle thinks its working fine. this has been ongoing for over a year.
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had no... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2023
The low beam headlights are very dim even after replacing bulbs. Have replaced 2 sets in less than a year. Not sure if issues are related but I have seen multiple people have posted about dim headlights on this model
MERCEDES-BENZ
C300
(2011) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Oct 30, 2023
Incident date: Jun 30, 2023
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DIM. I have changed the bulbs and you can not see out of this vehicle at night. I have checked to see if there is a recall or something. A lot of people have issue with this year make and model of this vehicle. The other problem I am having is the paint peeling with the Snow white color of my vehicle. Large spots of paint is coming off and missing. thi... Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? There seems to be a series of faulty electrical/wiring issues happening with our 2017 BMW i3, most notably including the passenger seat/airbag registering system and control panel/console lighting. Yes, it is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 12, 2023
2024 Toyota Corolla SE Low beam headlights have shadows on the driver's side that hang down and obstruct the roadway especially on curves. This is very hazardous and only remedy is to switch to high beams. This issue causes me to either not be able to see the roadway adequately or blind oncoming traffic with high beams. This is an issue on my 2023 as well. Toyota has stated it is normal and as de... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
While my wife was driving at night at 70mph, the left light selector knob near your left knee was set from the usual "Auto" position to the "0" position. She was trying to figure how to make the dash and radio lights brighter at night while waiting for me thus turning this selector knob that did make the dash brighter and not affecting the outside vehicle lights. When I got into the car and she wa... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
Rear lights have accumulated condensation during rain on multiple occasions, and then will stop working and cause an error code in the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system.
Incident date: Oct 28, 2023
My low beam headlights very low ,so low seems like they aren't on,have to drive with high beams on, there was a recall in 2022, that I wasn't made aware of also the control arm front driver and passenger side is cracked and my car has never been wrecked. Brought it brand new off the Nissan dealership lot. Had issues from the start with the interior they call themselves fixing ( but did not).
Incident date: Oct 2, 2023
Suddenly car entry stopped working. Warning messages on display about start/stop, engine starting malfunction, every single light. I found the driver rear side full of water where the fuse panel and control modules are located. There was water soaked into the insulation at the bottom of the space as well as the insulation over the wheel well. Water drops were viewed on the controllers in that... Read more
Incident date: Aug 22, 2023
overhead console detached dropped down while driving, yes available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? created hazard for front seat occupants. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No
Incident date: Aug 21, 2023
The driver side DRL has gone out. Passenger DRL is working perfect. Looked at dodge forums to see if others are having the same problem and there is MANY of the same complaints!
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
Tail lights with BLIS crack at the Manufacturing Seam of the light, causing critical safety features to not function. Additionally, water penetrates light and causes electrical shortage. Well known issue amongst truck enthusiasts.
Incident date: Jan 20, 2023
Ever since I purchased my Defender back in 2021, the instrument cluster automatically dims. Usually when at dusk or dawn, the cluster dims so much, it is impossible to read with sunglasses, and very poorly lit without sunglasses. I have the dimmer switch set to the brightest setting, but it still automatically dims despite being set to the brightest.
Incident date: Jun 6, 2023
During vehicle operation, on occasion, entire vehicle instrument panel goes dark and shuts off, which includes speedometer and warning lights. Cruise control deactivates and all displays and warning indicators de-luminate. System will turn back on and flash multiple error codes before returning to normal. Sync/navigation system will also go out.
Incident date: Oct 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, he became aware that the electrical system was not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the body control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related it t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 22, 2022
:**Complaint Regarding 2023 330e Instrument Cluster Brightness Issue** - I wish to report a safety concern regarding the instrument cluster brightness in my 2023 BMW 330e. The instrument cluster features an auto-dimming screen with no brightness control during the day. The ambient brightness sensor does not accurately detect daylight conditions unless the sunshade on the sunroof is open. This re... Read more
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
2022-09-22 I took my 2013 Kia Sorento for both low beam lights out to Ed Voyles Kia Service - 2145 Cobb Parkway SE, Smyrna, GA 30080. Initially, the Service shop only replaced the bulbs and wanted to send me on my way. I explained that I already replaced both bulbs 2 times and the low beams keep going out and changing the bulbs is not going to solve the problem. I demoed how pushing on the hood a... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2023
The brakes light keep going out they won’t blink the won’t turn on fuses are blowing
Incident date: Oct 24, 2023
The contact's husband owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the high-beam headlights became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer several times, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Fred And... Read more
TOYOTA
RAV4 PRIME
(2021) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Oct 25, 2023
Incident date: Oct 25, 2023
Rear brake lights that illuminate upon braking are embedded low in the bumper of the vehicle, NOT in a location "commonly expected" by motorists. Rear red taillights are in fact conventionally-located upon the vehicle, but they do not illuminate when brakes are applied. They only light up when the headlights are turned on. As a result, the potential for being rear-ended is elevated due to insuf... Read more
Incident date: Oct 3, 2023
driving down the road my head lights with flicker on and off and its making the lights inside the jeep go on and off as well reported this awhile ago as well due to the face that tis is not safe while going down the road sometimes it will shut off on its own while driving and then it will come right back in like nothing happened
GMC
SIERRA 1500
(2011) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Oct 25, 2023
Incident date: Oct 23, 2023
Headlight lens are holding condensation , I've noticed this problem a few times now , and at night time it is a problem to see unless the brights of the lighting is engaged ,, RE: it's not my eyes , I've just got new bifocal glasses ,,, or maybe they just need adjusted up a bit , I will take it in for inspection, the Hyundai Elantra 2021 , I just purchased on 07/12/2023 , along with the seatbelt r... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2022
Hi beam indicator on dash comes on when activated but the headlamps do not go to hi beam. Can't see as well at night without hi beams. Hi beams haven't worked the last few night drives. There are no warning la.ps to indicate a problem.
Incident date: Sep 10, 2023
The led light is supposed to have a constant voltage but in the day ther voltage is lower because the lights dim there needs to be a additional adjustment made or attachment so it causes the head light to fail
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
Over a period of about 1 year the low beam headlights dimmed to a point that the vehicle was unsafe to drive at night. The lights provided no illumination. The dealership (Ron Tonkin Acura) did tell me that the reflector in that model and year could deteriorate and be "less" reflective. They recommended purchasing replacement components on Amazon ($418.99) and have them installed at the dealership... Read more
Incident date: Oct 10, 2023
When driving the car and stopping at a stop sign or stop light, the engine will shut off. The automatic restart occurs and with the headlights on the climate temp control display flickers While all the other dashlights remain bright. Many people are disabling the system. Since there is a switch you can press, defeating the system. Toyota sent a technical specialist who inspected the system. And si... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2023
I have known issues w/my 2010 Buick lacrosse CXL ABS light on
Incident date: Oct 17, 2023
The headlights do not work reliably. The first time this happened was in June but seemingly resolved itself until this last week. Sometimes the passenger side only works, sometimes the driver side only, sometimes neither side. They will come on and go off or only one will come on or go off as they please. There is no pattern or rhyme or reason. There are no warning lights; in fact, the car says Li... Read more
Incident date: Oct 20, 2023
Headlights flicker off and sometimes just for a second, sometimes stay off and will usually come back on if i turn them off and on again. But then it happens again. I took it to my mechanic who could not figure it out. Couldn't afford to do much so i have not been able to drive at night for a year as it's very dangerous. I called Kia and since my car is out of warranty and apparently no sort o... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2023
When my car hit approximately 100,000 miles noted greatly decreased visibility for night time driving due to poor output from what I thought was the lights. Had Acura dealer replace lights with no change noted. They then suggested I have someone else(because they wouldn’t do it) replace bulbs with LED bulbs. Had LBulbs changed to LED with no change. This is a major safety issue as I do not have... Read more
Incident date: Oct 4, 2023
I just recently purchased this vehicle on 10/18/23. I purchased it during the daytime so was unaware of the headlight problem until I had to drive at night time. The low beams are extremely dim! I checked all fuses, relays and bulbs and everything is in good working order. Reached out to my local dealership and they advised this is a known issue but has not been recalled. The housing assembly caus... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2023
Headlights horribly dim on low - only illuminate the roadway at night if on high beams. Took it into the dealership today and was told it would be $2,500 to replace the reflectors and basically re-do the whole front headlamp area. We had this car mainly garaged during COVID when working from home 100%. Now that we drive it more, we realize it has become unsafe -cannot see to drive at night at all.... Read more
Incident date: Sep 14, 2023
Headlights started to flicker off and on after using the blinkers. Just randomly. The alarm won't arm or disarm unless I put the key into the ignition, the alarm (and horn) is set off, I have to take the key out and disarm the alarm it with the remote. The car still starts, all the alarm does is make noise. The dashboard displays FUSE and the clock is always displayed at 1:00 when I start my car. ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
The headlights will repeatedly stop working. I got both headlight bulbs replaced and two months later the passenger side low beam light was flickering. it would sometimes come back on if a bump in the road was hit or if it was tapped then it went out completely. This is very costly and unsafe to be driving at night with. It is most likely a problem with the headlight assembly. I have had the vehic... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2023
Lights go off unexpectedly while driving at night. The rear break light has been changed 3 times and continues to work intermittently. Lights come on after the car has parked and turned off.
Incident date: Jan 4, 2023
We brought this Brand-new Wagoneer on April 19th, 2023, since then we've been having a lot of issues with the vehicle, On August 7th, the electrical system failed we took it to the dealer, and they upgraded for us. Again, 3 weeks later while I was driving home from Sam's club, the power steering light keeps flashing, I had trouble with the wheels i pulled to the side turned off the car for 5 minut... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Oct 21, 2023
when using the turn signals, either way, the headlights cut off. sometimes they flicker back on and sometimes they stay off.
Incident date: Nov 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH at night, there was a flash, and the headlights became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's brother informed him to use the high beam headlights. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was due to the lighting control modu... Read more
Incident date: Jul 28, 2023
The passenger side headlight is retaining moisture. Upon further inspection the retaining clips have pulled away and cracked. This causes the headlight to flicker from the moisture inside. Brought the vehicle into Clearwater Toyota in Clearwater, FL and warranty repair was refused with the service manager stating that I was in an accident. I wasn't. Was not repaired by dealer. Opened a claim with ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2023
I had a headlight go out so I purchased new bulbs had both of them installed, low beams … and I still can’t see in the dark even after having my outside lamps detailed and cleaned. I have to drive with my high beams on in the dark. This needs to be a recall , something is not right with the lights on this vehicle. So Now I just try not to drive at night which is hard with the time.
Incident date: Oct 21, 2023
The daytime running lights aka Angel Eyes wiring is sub-standard. The plastic coating on the wires for the daytime running lights/Angel Eyes has melted away exposing bare wiring that has fused causing the lights to malfunction and not work. I believe the manufacturer is aware of this sub-standard issue and needs to provide a suitable fix or replacement for the sub-standard wiring of their product.
Incident date: Oct 20, 2023
Two days after purchasing the light warning alert system started coming on. CHECK SYSTEMS HEADLIGHTS WARNING comes on EVERY MONTH THEN THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT first the left them the right…Ford can’t fix the problem because they don’t know what and why this keeps happening. The lights have been replaced 4-5 times and reprogrammed. I have took it Ford dealership 7 times, and the last t... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
The 2023 BMW X3 is equipped with automatic high beams that includes an anti-dazzle feature. The anti-dazzle/non-glare (matrix) feature have been available on non US Spec vehicles since 2013 but US legislation did not allow this feature to enabled in the United States. In the meantime legislation has changed however my BMW has been decoded by the manufacturer so that my car does not have that featu... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2023
Headlights will shutoff completely when driving at night in auto mode after using the turn signal. Then turn back on a.couple of seconds later. Which has created some dangerous situations.
LAND ROVER
DEFENDER
(2023) - EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Oct 21, 2023
Incident date: Oct 18, 2023
Vehicle daytime running lights burn-out prematurely, after about a year or two. Common issue - Land Rover often will replace the entire headlight only for the lights to burn out again. This is happening so often Land Rover headlamps are months back-ordered. See this thread: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Oct 21, 2023
The head lights are focused/aimed too far up. Maneuvering around curves at night creates hazardous driving conditions due to the issue. There are dark spots where lighting should be.
Incident date: Oct 9, 2023
Auto high beams won't activate until I reach 45 MPH and they while driving high beams continue to turn on and off with no other autos near me. This condition is not reliable and makes it difficult to drive at night
Incident date: Oct 20, 2023
Headlight quality is deficient. There has been an active recall since August 2022 for this issue. That is 14 months, and yet my car's headlight issue has yet to resolved by Subaru. This is unacceptable.